HVL LIGHTS UP NEIGHBORHOOD
Homes go all out during annual Christmas-themed decoration contest, voters select top five homes
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE >> Voters had no shortage of Christmas-themed choices this year during the annual Hidden Valley Lake decorating contest held Sunday night.
More than 325 cars participated, each receiving a ballot and cookies before proceeding up and down HVL’s streets to rank all of the homes that went all out to bring a little holiday joy to their neighborhoods. A few of the brightly lit homes would have given Clark W. Griswold of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation a run for his money.
All COVID-19 protocols were in place, including the wearing of face masks and social distancing, and the 20-year- old event ran smoothly. Vehicles as well as homes were decorated in some cases, giving the judges some difficult decisions. Children enjoyed many of the displays, including one that featured a pony, a working train, a baby Yoda, and a bubble machine.
When all the votes were counted, top honors went to 18135 Bobcat Court, a Hidden Valley Lake favorite for many years, especially the bubble snow that could be used to maximum effect this time because the rain held off.
Second place went to 19152 Colt Court where there was a working train. A banner placed at the entrance of Colt Court let everyone know that many of the houses in the area were decorated to the hilt, and that was indeed the case. Voters and onlookers were allowed to walk through the area for a first-hand inspection.
Third place went to 19149 Colt Court, another full- on display featuring gingerbread houses and people.
Fourth place went to 18534 Deer Hill Road with a display you could see from blocks away, one that featured an American flag the size of the garage door.
Fifth place at 19167 Colt Court featured Santa just back from the North Pole waving from the driver’s seat of his camper, which was no doubt full of gifts and goodies for all of the good boys and girls.